Things To Do in and Around Sacramento.
Maybe you avoid exploring your city in depth for fear of spending too much money on various activities and events. And we don’t blame you! Staying active in the community can be an expensive pastime. However, this list will eliminate that excuse completely, as it suggests several free and inexpensive things to do in the Sacramento area.
The only thing better than experiencing Sacramento is having a full wallet while you’re doing so!
Effie Yeaw Nature Center
The Effie Yeaw Nature Center is an award-winning environmental and cultural education center nestled in the American River Parkway in Carmichael. Stop by for free in order to see the 100-acre nature preserve with interpretive trails winding along the American River with wildlife including deer, coyotes, migratory songbirds, raptors, wild turkeys and more. This is a great opportunity for children and adults alike to get immersed in nature and learn a lot in the meantime!
Explore Capitol Park
Capitol Park is a monumental park surrounding the Capitol Building, featuring 40 acres of beautiful nature, monuments and lots of green grass. Visit the memorials honoring several significant California events and individuals, including a Civil War Memorial Grove, a life-sized statue of Father Junípero Serra, the California Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the California Veterans Memorial (honoring veterans from a number of wars).
Tour the State Capitol Building
Speaking of the Capitol Building…
Whether you’ve been in Sacramento for a day or a year, it’s likely you haven’t yet stepped foot inside the California State Capitol building. But with free admission, you absolutely must add it to your budget-friendly to-do list. The building is open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Explore McKinley Park
McKinley Park is a major activity hub in the city, featuring an arts center, a rose garden, a seasonal pool, a playground, trails, various sports facilities, and much more! Leave your wallet behind and stop by the Shepard Garden & Arts Center, take in the beauty of nature at the McKinley Rose Garden, and let the kids play around on the massive playground.
See Local Art at the 2nd Saturday Art Walk
On the second Saturday of every month, admire the works of local artists with 2nd Saturday Art Walk. Sacramento galleries in the downtown and midtown areas host an open house from 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. or later. Mingle with local artists, enjoy their art exhibits, sample food and wine, hear live music, visit street fairs and enjoy special events!
Visit Old Sacramento State Historic Park
Take a trip back in time with a stroll through the Old Sacramento State Historic Park, featuring a cluster of noteworthy, early Gold Rush commercial structures dating back to the 1850s. The Old Sacramento area is certainly worth a visit, as it was named a National Historic Landmark in 1965 and features over 50 historic buildings. Notable buildings include the 1849 Eagle Theater, the 1853 B.F. Hastings Building, and the 1855 Big Four Building.
Get Some Coffee
Another easy and cost-effective way to be involved with small businesses (while staying properly caffeinated!) is with a visit to a local coffee shop. Need some direction or a new suggestion for your overdone coffee routine? Check out 12 of the best coffee shops in the Sacramento area.
Step aboard the Sacramento River Fox Train Tour and leave everything else behind. Here, you can reconnect with your sense of adventure and nostalgia. This is your invitation to escape and enjoy an experience you can’t get anywhere else in Sacramento. We specialize in good times, togetherness and offer a wide variety of unique adventures that allow you to live in the moment and build lasting memories. From our exclusive railbikes and murder mystery dinners, to beer and wine trains and holiday events for kids, we truly have something for everyone. So, come depart from the ordinary and ride on!
